The English designer Stephen Rothholz loves maritime life so much he bought a lighthouse at Hook Head. Who changes the bulb, we ask

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ince the 1960s, the accessories designer Stephen Rothholz has provided cuff links, bracelets, scarfs and hats for such leading lights of fashion as Jean Paul Gaultier, Ben Sherman, Nicole Farhi and Paul Smith. But when life in London gets a bit too much, Rothholz and his wife Liz Evans skip off across the sea to their other passion — Duncannon Lighthouse on the Hook Head peninsula in Co Wexford.

In private, Rothholz is a dedicated marine anorak. So while Sir Elton John might be sporting one of his designs, Rothholz’s own favourite accessory is more likely to be an old ship’s bell or a frame of rope knots. “While I’m not into sailing, I love absolutely anything to do with the sea. So when a rare lighthouse sale was announced in Wexford 20 years ago, a friend of mine based in Cork got straight on the phone. I just had to